The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-26
The GEEIALW.R. TRlVERS
AN INTERESTING SKETCH OF HIS
LIFE.
A Lover OF Young Men and Always
Their True Friend-His Death
Expected.

Nkw YORK, March 25-The many
friends OF the genial w. r. Travers
have received with deep regret the au'
thentic information that tn re is no
hope foI his recovery, his case is 80
desperate; indeed, it is expected that
the next steamer from Bermuda will
bring home his body. Mr.. Travers
was best known in Wall street, where
he spent the best years OF bis life. HIS
quaint stories will long be repeated Ia
the neighborhood of the Sock Elk
change. He has been a member of
the Exchange for thirty three year,,
and, although he has not been sctive
on the fl Ior for the last twenty years,
he has maintained his fondness for
specul Ative ventures. He is special
partner in two well known firms
yanemburg & Atterbury and PGinve
& Whitley. He has been associated
with the latter firm sircs lis establish
ment, about fourteen years ago. The
late j. d. Prince was a nephew,
and had been in partnership with
him years before. d. B. Vanembur9,
of the other firm, was boy in 1868
in the firm OF Vanschaick x Mascot,
in which Mr.. Travers and the late g.
Osgood were special pa't1ers. Mr..
Travers had many other associations
in consequences OF his long career As
a Spectator he was inclined to be
cautious aud conservative. 1t is said
10 be doubtful if he ever was short of
line of 10000 shares OF stock, al
though he occasionally approached
that figure. DR.. Shelton and Addison
Csmmack, who were his contempo-
rsries at that time, thought little Of
trading In as large an amount in o sim
gle day. His proclivities we're always
to be on the "beat" side Of the mar
ket, although he once made famous
operation on the lopg side. 10 the fan
of 1858 large pool wac formed in Pa
cific Mai and the entire management
of it Yves placed in his hands. The
price was run up to 100 or more on the
Story that the company had bought
out an active opposition line. This
pool made great deal Of money, ON
Ing largely to skiliful management.
That was probably tbe only i'm.
portsnt "des" in which Mr.. Travers
ever took an active interest. He
was inclined to operate on his own
judgment and for his single account.
He made fortune in the panic OF 1873
when he was short on an unusually
srge line of stocks. Hs did noe cover
his sales until long after the panic,
when prices sank lower than at the
time OF the financial disturbance. His
fortune is estimated from $4,000, 600
to S5,CC0000. The senior member of
q prominent house in Wall street, with
which Mr.. Travers has been Identified,
said yesterday that Mr.. TraveIs's prin-
cipal characteristic was his willingness
TO help young men along when he SAW
them display industry and capacity in
business. When man had onc5 won
his confidence it was not q question Of
money with him-his friend could
command 100000 as easily as dollar.
And Mr.. Travsrs was always loyal TO
his friends. II he had reason to believe
that friend was square he would not
listen to any clamor against HIM, snd
would not change his judgment except
upon the most convincing proof of his
AAo Whb POtACSb koh-
tleman, courteous aud polite to every
one, and if any man met him whom
he did not faUcy not trace of the
feeling could be found i'll his man
ner. II WIS when l was clerk in 8
brokers' offics that l met Mr.. Travers
ct Saratoga years ago on the GRAND
and at the ra ing track. / don't be-
lieve he hardly more thsn knew my
name, but he was ae cordial and agree
ABLE as if he had knoyn me for years.
He hRd never had u harsh word for
for any one. Tho worst thing ever
heard him say about O man was when
a person wss publicly accused Of i'm
proper transactions: Il know Their is
great deal that may be slid on the
other side, but these charges lave been
made by 30 aud 90, q repu able man,
aid they have not been answered.
Neither you nor ! would lot them go
unanswered, and all that l can fay is
that Mr.. Blank il either a coward or
he il b ID man Mr.. TraveTs he'd re
markably good judgment, and l never
had occasion to regret following his
advice. In the early part of 1884 he
said: 'Iher has eeeu a great shrink
age in values. The losses must have
fallen somew here. Mayb3 they fell
on rich men and maybe on POI men,
but there must be some one bearing
them up, and perhaps they ore hidden
up in daf3lcatione. / do not care
to do anything in stocks until
there are developments TO show where
the loses lie, or whether anything lie
being covered up In May the Grant
and Ward dsye opments justified Mr..
Travers's conversation and prudence.
remember telling him once that l
never went away from business TO see
horse race. He seemed much
amused ard said well, l lave.
You must not work too hard; don't
lie yourself t. business too closely
And he enjoyed all OF the LIE that the
could get He would make a success
full operation and then reat himself
and have a good time for a while.
Mr.. Trsvers's skill in repartee, you
know, is famous Hs is very witty,
aud while l can't recall any particu ar
anfcdote | have apen MIN more than